This is long over-due but well, your friend here only has her leave days to blog. Heh. Ok well not exactly but... =)

2 Sundays ago we finally met up to celebrate RL's bday. Her bday was early Mar but we all could not find a "coincid-able" time to meet up until then. We went for a jazz concert at Esplanade (just RL and me) followed by dinner at Cafe Cartel. KT arrived late and hence we had to wait for her to finish all her food before we set off for the much awaited moment for the night! BTW, it was not the candle-blowing moment. But rather that fact that we are going to Equinox!

My virgin visit with these 2 peeps

Amazing view from our window:

Red marks the SPOT for Carlton Hotel

Our spread for the late night

My drink!!! Really nice. erhm. Strawberry something. Heh.

Me & my drink. As you can see, I was already vv tired by then. See my face after mustering a really weak smile... =)

Next NICE place that we went to before we called it a night: the TOILET!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

i'm glad i was still the 1st person you turned to.though it was not in the most pleasant manner.but at least it showed that you still trust me (in one way or another).and you finally responded.hang in there pal.

It is a falsehood that self-care is extravagant and expensive. Many women neglect themselves due to this black and white thinking, believing only the wealthy can afford to take care of themselves. But self-care is a mindset; not a bank account --- a good thing in our current economy.

We all need to feel nurtured, loved and supported --- it creates meaning, depth and purpose in our daily lives, allowing us to be present to ourselves as well as to others. Too often, we seek these things in money and material goods, external symbols of care. But feeling rich has more to do with how you feel about yourself on the inside than about what you do or don't have on the outside. When you feel worthy and valuable, you treat yourself as worthy and valuable. Self-care, after all, is simply love in action.

Fortunately, we don't have to spend a lot of money (or money we don't have) to feel nurtured. In fact, true self-care is none of those things. Just as eating too much food makes you feel sick, excessive indulgence feels badly, too. Debt, overspending and a house filled with things you don't use, need, or appreciate drains the spirit. Self-care enriches it.

The trick to inexpensive self-care is using your creativity to meet your needs --- a tool I've used in cash crunches over the years. To get you thinking, here are 15 frugal ways to add self-care into your life:

1. Use the library. The library is a self-care treasure trove. During a time in my life when a $10 pizza was a luxury, I used the library for much of my entertainment needs: I checked out armfuls of books, CDs, magazines, and videos for free. I didn't let my library's offerings stop me, either: I ordered books or videos that my library didn't have through interlibrary loan, for a mere $1.50. The best part was receiving the call that my interlibrary loan had arrived: Picking up the book that I was so eager to read was like a Christmas present.

2. Buy quality over quantity. While I'm careful with how I spend my money, I'm likewise careful with what I spend my money on. I save for what I really want --- even if it takes me months or years to do so --- instead of buying a cheaper alternative that I can afford immediately. Buying what you want serves your spirit because it honors your need for beauty, quality, or choice. Too often, we buy junk, gadgets, knicknacks or things we don't need because we are surrounded by objects that don't speak to our truest hearts. So we search endlessly for it, parting with our money --- our life energy --- for things that only end up collecting dust, clutter our homes, or show up in the give away pile. When you give yourself permission to buy the $100 cashmere sweater instead of the $30 cotton one, you lose the deprived feeling that accompanies a habit of making do; settling for second best. That deprived feeling is often what leads to overspending in the first place. So my advice is don't settle. Buy the cashmere sweater. But do it mindfully: wait until you can pay cash, not credit. Likewise, reconsider how many sweaters you really need and wear. (My closet is spare, but I love and wear everything in it.) Swinging for the cashmere sweater may mean having four sweaters in your closet, instead of 10. In my experience, having one sweater that makes you swoon is preferable to ten that don't.

3. Learn how to do it yourself. Do you love Chinese take-out, authentic Mexican, or gourmet pizza? With a recipe, basic lessons, or a tutorial from a friend, you can learn to make these yourself. Our family prides itself on cooking good food: we love to eat well. It makes us feel richly abundant on a daily basis. Likewise, you can learn decorating skills to transform your home, or how to give yourself a lavish mani/pedi. I've made my own jewelry, sewed clothes, pillows and curtains, and knitted scarves and shrugs. Learning a new skill has an extra side benefit: it feeds your self-esteem, as well as your spirit.

4. Make your own pampering products. I make bath salts for friends and my own use. They take five minutes and cost pennies. I've also made my own face masks out of everyday kitchen ingredients ---- they are fantastic for my skin, and are a bargain when compared to organic skin care products.

5. Barter. In today's consumer culture, we limit our creativity when we don't think of alternatives to buying. What about bartering for what you want, instead? I've swapped cooking for childcare; accounting for a cleaning service; a collage lesson for a jewelry making class. That sweater that is the wrong color on you? A friend might swap you for something in her closet that calls to you.

6. Ask around. Are you looking for craft supplies? Put up a sign in a community bulletin board, like a friend of mine did: She received an entire bag of needles from a woman who no longer wanted them. Or try Freecycle, where you can use your neighbors to get (or give) things for free.

7. Give yourself the luxury of time. When I'm feeling frazzled, what I most crave is time: time to take a long shower, paint my nails, or read a book. How can you give yourself 20 or 30 minutes a day, a sacred space to cultivate your relationship with yourself? We often think we don't have the time, but how much of our daily lives is spent buying, scouting for things, or running errands (to buy)? Cutting down your consumption may create the very pockets of time you need to feel whole, without buying the new outfit.

8. Cultivate low-cost entertainment. There are a myriad of ways to entertain yourself, without cost. I meet girlfriends for walks, or at the coffeehouse for tea: a $2 investment. I exercise outside or do yoga in my bedroom --- I run, bike and walk, all free, aside from my gear. We make the most of our Netflix subscription, getting "fun" movies as well as documentaries, how-to videos, or other educational entertainment. Book clubs and game nights are other ways of adding inexpensive joy. Check your local paper: you may be amazed at the wealth of free entertainment in your area.

9. Rest. Too often, we give ourselves shabby alternatives to what we really need. Think of the times that you eat when you're really tired, or you push yourself to go to the mall when you really desire an evening of quiet. Give yourself the rest that you desire: go to bed earlier, take a nap (there's nothing that feels richer in the middle of the day), or spend a few hours puttering around the house.

10. Use the power of a group. My local art center has a woman's craft group that meets one evening a month for a girl's night out. A different woman directs the group each month, and offers instruction on everything from wire wrapping to batik dying. It's a fantastic way to learn a new hobby, with a minimal cost. I know other women who band together to tackle house projects, spending one Saturday month at a different girlfriend's house, painting or finishing another project that can be overwhelming for one person.

11. Change your expectations for entertaining. I used to think that I couldn't have people over unless my house was immaculate, my meal, gourmet and of multiple courses, my table, perfectly presented. But, while there is a time and place for a beautifully set table and a chef-quality meal, there is much freedom in lowering our expectations for entertaining as a whole. There is nothing wrong with paper plates, or a simple dinner of soup and salad. After all, having friends over for dinner is about enjoying their company, not impressing them with your domestic skills. Some of the best times I've spent with friends have been impromptu get togethers: the last minute nature of the meal means I don't fret over the food, but focus on the company.

12. Embrace potlucks. We all crave variety, a richness of experience. When we have extra cash, it's easy to rely on money to meet this need: going out to eat because we're tired of our own cooking. Enjoy your friends' cooking instead. Host potluck parties: it's always fun to try new foods, and you get the rich feel of eating out without the rich expense. Potlucks also create a feeling of community, the connection that comes with sharing a meal. This interconnectedness with others is especially necessary when we're feeling afraid, anxious about our finances.

13. Share your wish list with friends and family. Ask for what you need. After I had my baby and carried an extra 20 pounds, I lamented my lack of wardrobe options to a friend. She gave me a pair of her jeans that she was about to give away, and I wore them for many months. They were a welcome shift from my sweats, and I didn't have to fret about "wasting" money on something I wouldn't be using long-term. I have another friend who is a thrift store and garage sale hound. I'll mention my wishlist to her --- a laundry basket; art supplies; something for my kitchen --- and she often surprises me by finding the very thing I need, for pennies. If my birthday is coming up, and there's something I really desire, I let my family know: they're usually grateful for the guidance.

14. Host swaps with friends. Ever had a "New to You" swap? Everyone brings things they no longer use, need or like --- this could be anything from clothing to household decor --- and you "shop" your friends' wares. This gives you the rich feeling of having something "new," without having to spend money: everyone leaves feeling happy.

15. Give yourself an allowance. There is something very empowering about having your "own" money. If you have a partner or spouse, tensions can arise over different expectations about spending vs. saving money. An allowance gives each person freedom to spend a small sum of money however they choose. Even if it's just $10 a month, I've found that giving myself a regular treat tames any feelings of lack or deprivation, particularly if I'm in a savings or pay-off-debt mode. Just knowing that I have a bit of money each month to spend as I choose quells those cravings to spend.

Feeling cared for, pampered, nurtured, supported: they are all about creating feelings of love. It is from this love that life feels meaningful, even joyful, in the midst of the pain, trials and suffering that is a part of every human life. It's so easy to focus on our lack, our feelings of deprivation, the unfairness of our current economic situation. While most of us can honestly say we'd like more money in our lives right now, we can still feel loved --- by creating these experiences for ourselves, and others --- even when our pockets are empty.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

I woke up with a really bad back ache. Couldn't even turn initially. Dunno why. But I still went for the financial thingy. Interesting. Guess we'll always learn something new.

Had lunch wif cin aft tt. Always nice to spend time wif her. :) Gave my Bodycombat a miss due to my ache but went ahead wif the Bodybalance. The instructor has the same dialect name as me! Heh. Reading at my fave place now... Relaxing...

2 - Go to Quotations Page and select "random quotations"or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3The last four or five or few words of the very last quote on the page is the title of your first album.

Your view on yourself:You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.

The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:You are a true romantic. When you are in love, you will do anything and everything to keep your love true.

Your readiness to commit to a relationship:You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person.

The seriousness of your love:You are very serious about relationships and aren't interested in wasting time with people you don't really like. If you meet the right person, you will fall deeply and beautifully in love.

Your views on education:Education is very important in life. You want to study hard and learn as much as you can.

The right job for you:You're a practical person and will choose a secure job with a steady income. Knowing what you like to do is important. Find a regular job doing just that and you'll be set for life.

How do you view success:You are afraid of failure and scared to have a go at the career you would like to have in case you don't succeed. Don't give up when you haven't yet even started! Be courageous.

What are you most afraid of:You are concerned about your image and the way others see you. This means that you try very hard to be accepted by other people. It's time for you to believe in who you are, not what you wear.

Who is your true self:You are mature, reasonable, honest and give good advice. People ask for your comments on all sorts of different issues. Sometimes you might find yourself in a dilemma when trapped with a problem, which your heart rather than your head needs to solve.

Kind of strange how answering silly questions can lead to such answers. Heh. Well. You can decide for youself how accurate the quiz is...Here's another one:What's your personality love style?You desire a love that will last forever. You are quite serious about finding this type of love, and that's why you think carefully about the men that you meet before deciding whether you could really love them. You don't just develop a crush on someone overnight: you look at a person's personality and other aspects of their life before deciding to form an attachment. If a guy doesn't meet your expectations, you would rather be alone. Your love has to be perfect. Be careful though, you could be missing out on some worthy relationships because your standards are so high.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Saturday, March 7, 2009

sometimes when we just live our life on a day-to-day basis, we seem to lose sight of things that really matter. all the nitty gritty stuff gets to us and we no longer see the big picture. and we move back to where we 1st started. oh how i seriously detest that place.

yet when we draw ourselves back, the big picture seems so daunting, almost intimidating actually. and we look at ourselves, what do we have. nothing.

at such times we search for something higher than ourselves. Someone that knows all, understands all and stands with us for all. where in stillness Peace comes, our knees are on the floor.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

i've been having a lot of strange dreams lately. makes me really tired that i didn't manage to go into deep sleep. and i actually remember the dreams... :/

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was talking to one of my member's friend and this was really funny... i shall just name him ABC.

ABC: can i ask u a question?me: sureABC: u really resigned from your job already is it?me: no la! i cannot afford to go vacation and yet not work at the same time.ABC: cos accountants & holidays in may just does not gelme: huh? why not?ABC: accountants lead stable & mundane life. they are like squirrels that work hard and store up all the nuts in the trees. and then after that return home to count them all slowlyme: ?!?!?!?!?!!?

but that is really funny to me. hahahaha....

there was another funny conversation from him on something else few days back. but i cannot remember it now. so well. heh.

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been thinking a lot about things recently. feeling really burdened about somethings, that i feel so stuffed about them. like so helpless. hmm...

ALL of us have heard it hundreds and thousands of times. What is the secret to the fountain of youth, a healthier heart or a trimmer waistline?

The answer is almost always: Exercise!

A fit body and a healthy heart is something you can work on, but it must be maintained by consistent, regular workouts.

Still, if you have seriously considered starting an exercise regimen before, these questions may sound familiar. What kind of exercise can I do? Would jogging or walking one hour a day keep me fit? Can a daily jog help me lose weight? How long should I exercise? Is this exercise too much for me? Should I be exercising at the age of 60?

The exercise regimen for a marathon runner may be a lot more intense and complex, but if you are just looking forward to maintaining good health and a healthy heart, Dr Harbinder says it is quite straightforward.

To maintain good health, he says an individual needs to undertake a minimum of 500-600 METs worth of exercise per week, spread over no less than three sessions per week. (One MET, or metabolic equivalent, is the amount of oxygen consumed when sitting quietly, approximately 3.5ml of oxygen consumption per kilogram of body weight per minute).

So, if you exercise at a moderate intensity ie walking briskly at a speed of five to six km/h (which approximates to about four to five METs per minute), then you will need to do at least five 30-minute sessions per week to achieve the required METs for the week.

If you exercise at a vigorous intensity, like jogging at speeds of eight km/h or greater (more than nine METs per min), then you could do it in less time (20 minutes). You could also choose to have 30-minute workouts and fewer sessions (but no fewer than three times per week).

Intensity, duration, frequencyCan you avoid doing five sessions and have a single two-and-a-half hour session on weekends? Dr Harbindar says no.

It doesn't matter whether you are exercising to maintain your health, lose weight or compete in the Olympics: you need to have all three components for it to be beneficial, says Dr Harbindar."When we talk about fitness, we talk about our body's response and adjustment to the strain that is placed on it. The way our body responds and adjusts to that strain - that is fitness.

It is only when exercise is of adequate intensity, duration and frequency that the body will get the message to change its physiology so it can accommodate and sustain a higher level activity over longer periods.

The heart muscles will grow thicker for it to pump more blood to the muscles and the lungs will expand more efficiently to get more oxygen into the blood that passes through. To be considered physically fit, you need to be able to sustain a moderately intense physical activity for 20 minutes or more.

But what constitutes a moderate intensity workout?

One of the simplest ways to find out is to try and have a conversation or sing when you work out. If you can still manage a full sentence without much trouble but have a hard time singing, it's a moderate intensity workout. If you can hardly talk, it's vigorous.

If you happen to be walking or jogging on a treadmill, a speed of three to six km/h is moderate. More than that is considered vigorous.

Otherwise, one of the best ways to monitor your level of activity is by checking your pulse. If your pulse rate is about 50-70 per cent the maximum heart rate for your age (subtract your age from 220), the exercise is moderate. If it is about 70-85 per cent, it's vigorous.

So if you are 30 years old, your maximum heart rate is approximately 190 beats per minute (bpm) and you should be exercising at a pulse rate of about 95 bpm to 135 bpm during a moderate intensity exercise.

You can measure your pulse rate manually or with the help of a heart rate monitor that now comes in the form of a wrist watch.

Starting an exercise programmeWe often take comfort in our little efforts to increase our physical activity, be it taking the stairs or parking the car further away. However, there's no shortcut to fitness except making time to exercise, says Dr Harbindar. Still, it is always prudent to start slow.

The easiest, and the most economical exercise to start with is a brisk walk or a regular jog."Exercise has no age limit. It is for all ages and you can start at any age; the earlier the better. Make exercise as important as your daily meals," Dr Harbindar says.

But before you start, the general advice is if you have risk factors for a heart attack, it is best to consult a doctor and get the appropriate advice and treatment, he says. This is more important if you are above 40.

Otherwise, if you are above 40 but do not have any risk factors, it is not necessary to see a doctor.

However, in both instances, start with light intensity exercises and gradually build the intensity up to a moderate or vigorous intensity as you go along over a period of 10 to 12 weeks.The idea is don't rush.

If at first you find your heart rate spiking up to 50-70 per cent your maximum heart rate with only a brisk walk, do not worry.

As you get fitter, you may find yourself exercising longer and at a higher intensity with the same amount of effort. After a few weeks or months, you may find yourself comfortable jogging at the same heart rate.

Even for those who survive heart attacks, exercise is beneficial to strengthen the heart and lower the likelihood of subsequent heart attacks.

The exercise component in a cardiac rehabilitation programme (CRP) helps heart attack survivors regain their fitness by putting them on supervised light intensity exercises up to minimally supervised moderate intensity exercises over four to six months.

"If you have a history of heart disease, it is always advisable to exercise under supervision at first, until your doctor says it is OK for you to exercise on your own. Even then, try and exercise in a group," Dr Harbindar says.

"Should you experience any discomfort or pain in your chest, stop your exercise immediately and take a rest. Always carry your medication like glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) with you so that you can place it under your tongue should the need arise."

Although more is better, overdoing it is more likely to cause harm. Fatal heart attacks during football or even badminton games have become quite common of late.

Dr Harbindar says the best way to tell if a particular exercise is too strenuous is by monitoring the heart rate, although the body will let you know in due course.

"Any heart rate above 80per cent of the maximum heart rate can be considered as strenuous," he says.

A simple way to tell is to do the "talk test", the same way you tell a moderate intensity and vigorous exercise apart. If you are unable to say a simple sentence during your exercise, then it might be too strenuous for you.

Besides that, Dr Harbindar shares a few important considerations to take note of during exercise.

- Mix your exercises. Once you have attained a sufficient level of fitness, mix your exercises. In addition to the aerobic component, the exercise must also contain sessions for the maintenance of muscle strength and endurance (at least two sessions per week).

Calisthenics is one of the simplest forms of exercise that we can do for this. It uses the weight of one's own body for the required resistance. Exercises like sit-ups, crunches, push-ups, pull-ups and squats are some examples of this.

Alternatively, you could also do some light weightlifting if you have access to such facilities either at home or in a gym.

- Always warm up before exercise and cool down following the completion of your exercise with stretching exercises.

- Make sure you are adequately hydrated before, during and after exercise. You can drink one to two glasses of water before you start, and another three to five within two hours after exercising, but these are not absolute.

If you sweat a lot, you could increase the amount of fluid. A rule of thumb is to drink about 25-30ml of water for every minute of exercise you perform. There is no harm if you drink a little more. Plain water is adequate for the usual 30-40-minute session.

- Ensure your safety at all times. If possible, exercise in small groups and in visible and well-lighted places.

- For people on medications, ensure that the timing of the medications is adhered to and the timing of exercise does not interfere with their ingestion and absorption from the gut.

And perhaps most importantly, know when to stop exercising and space your exercise sessions with adequate rest.

- It is very important that you get adequate rest in between the exercise sessions, as this is necessary for recuperation and the adaptation of your body to the exercise," he explains.

But don't rest for too long, as the body adapts again to the sedentary pace. You can lose your fitness and the whole process has to be repeated again.

"Exercise sessions should not be more than four days apart, and fitness levels generally start to fall significantly within 10-14 days of cessation of exercise. The older you get it becomes that bit more difficult to regain the fitness levels," Dr Harbindar says.

The take home message is this: a fit body and a healthy heart is something you can work on, but it must be maintained by consistent, regular workouts ' done correctly and adequately.

Quem sou eu

The girl's name is of Celtic origin.
Mythology: the name of a Celtic maiden in a Welsh tale, a Legendary Princess. In Celtic legend, Sabrina was the character who gave her name to the river Severn (in England).